Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill provides for the licensure of dental therapists, who are health care
practitioners who may engage in the limited practice of dentistry.
Under current law, dentists and dental hygienists are licensed by the Dentistry
Examining Board to practice dentistry and dental hygiene, respectively. This bill
provides for the licensure of a third type of dental practitioner, dental therapists.
Under the bill, the board must grant a dental therapist license to an individual who
satisfies certain criteria, including completion of a qualifying dental therapy
education program and passage of required examinations.
Under the bill, a dental therapy education program qualifies if the program 1)
is accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental
Accreditation (CODA); 2) is a program approved by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry
on or before the bill's effective date that has, as of the time of application, become
CODA-accredited; or 3) is a program offered in Wisconsin that has received initial
CODA accreditation but is not yet fully CODA-accredited. With respect to the third
category of dental therapy education programs (programs offered in Wisconsin), the
bill allows applicants to obtain a license on the basis of graduation from such a
program only for four years after the program's inception, and if the program is not
fully CODA-accredited by the time that four-year period has elapsed, the bill
requires the licenses of dental therapists who graduated from the program to be
revoked.
Under the bill, dental therapists may provide dental therapy services only as
an employee of specified employers and only under the supervision of a dentist who
is either similarly employed or who directly employs the dental therapist. The dental
therapist must also have a collaborative management agreement with a dentist that
addresses various aspects of the dental therapist's practice and supervision. Dental
therapists are, subject to the terms of a collaborative management agreement and
what was covered in their dental therapy education program, limited to providing
services, treatments, and procedures that are specified in the bill, as well as
additional services, treatments, or procedures specified by the board by rule. Dental
therapists may initially provide dental therapy services only under the direct or
indirect supervision of a qualifying dentist. Once a dental therapist licensed has
provided dental therapy services for at least 2,000 hours, the dental therapist may
provide services under the general supervision of a qualifying dentist. However, the
level of supervision for a dental therapist may be further limited under the terms of
a collaborative management agreement. Dental therapists must also, under the bill,
either 1) limit their practice to federally defined dental shortage areas or 2) practice
in settings where at least 50 percent of their patient base consists of certain specified

populations. Dental therapists must complete 12 hours of continuing education each
biennium.
The bill subjects dental therapists to, or covers dental therapists under, various
other laws, including the health care records law, the volunteer health care provider
program, the health care worker protection law, and the emergency volunteer health
care practitioner law. The bill also provides for loan forgiveness for dental therapists
under the health care provider loan assistance program.
Finally, the bill requires, effective when 50 individuals become licensed as a
dental therapist in this state or five years after the bill is enacted, that, to the extent
possible, one of the dental hygienist members on the board also be licensed as a
dental therapist.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB668,1 1Section 1. 15.405 (6) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB668,3,72 15.405 (6) (b) Three dental hygienists who are licensed under ch. 447. The
3governor shall, to the extent possible, appoint members under this paragraph so that
4at least one of the members under this paragraph is an individual who is also a dental
5therapist licensed under ch. 447.
Notwithstanding s. 15.08 (1m) (a), the dental
6hygienist
members under this paragraph may participate in the preparation and
7grading of licensing examinations for dental hygienists.
AB668,2 8Section 2 . 36.61 (1) (ak) of the statutes is created to read:
AB668,3,109 36.61 (1) (ak) “Dental therapist” means an individual licensed under s. 447.04
10(1m).
AB668,3 11Section 3 . 36.61 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB668,3,1312 36.61 (1) (b) “Health care provider" means a dental therapist, dental hygienist,
13physician assistant, nurse-midwife, or nurse practitioner.
AB668,4 14Section 4 . 36.61 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB668,4,7
136.61 (3) (a) The board shall enter into a written agreement with the health
2care provider. In the agreement, the health care provider shall agree to practice at
3least 32 clinic hours per week for 3 years in one or more eligible practice areas in this
4state or in a rural area, except that a health care provider in the expanded loan
5assistance program under sub. (8) who is not a dental therapist or dental hygienist
6may only agree to practice at a public or private nonprofit entity in a health
7professional shortage area.
AB668,5 8Section 5 . 36.61 (5) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB668,4,149 36.61 (5) (b) 1. The degree to which there is an extremely high need for medical
10care in the eligible practice area, health professional shortage area, or rural area in
11which an eligible applicant who is not a dental therapist or dental hygienist desires
12to practice and the degree to which there is an extremely high need for dental care
13in the dental health shortage area or rural area in which an eligible applicant who
14is a dental therapist or dental hygienist desires to practice.
AB668,6 15Section 6 . 36.61 (8) (c) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB668,4,1916 36.61 (8) (c) 3. Practice at a public or private nonprofit entity in a health
17professional shortage area, if the health care provider is not a dental therapist or
18dental hygienist, or in a dental health shortage area, if the health care provider is
19a dental therapist or dental hygienist.
AB668,7 20Section 7 . 146.81 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB668,4,2121 146.81 (1) (c) A dentist or dental therapist licensed under ch. 447.
AB668,8 22Section 8. 146.89 (1) (r) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB668,5,323 146.89 (1) (r) 1. Licensed as a physician under ch. 448, naturopathic doctor
24under ch. 466, a dentist, dental therapist, or dental hygienist under ch. 447, a
25registered nurse, practical nurse, or nurse-midwife under ch. 441, an optometrist

1under ch. 449, a physician assistant under subch. IX of ch. 448, a pharmacist under
2ch. 450, a chiropractor under ch. 446, a podiatrist under subch. IV of ch. 448, or a
3physical therapist under subch. III of ch. 448.
AB668,9 4Section 9 . 146.89 (1) (r) 5. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB668,5,105 146.89 (1) (r) 5. An individual who holds a valid, unexpired license,
6certification, or registration issued by another state or territory that authorizes or
7qualifies the individual to perform acts that are substantially the same as those acts
8that an individual who is described in subds. 1. to 4., except a dentist , dental
9therapist,
or dental hygienist, is licensed or certified to perform and who performs
10acts that are within the scope of that license, certification, or registration.
AB668,10 11Section 10 . 146.89 (3) (b) 8. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB668,5,1612 146.89 (3) (b) 8. Dental services, including tooth extractions and other
13procedures done under local anesthesia only and any necessary suturing related to
14the extractions, performed by a dentist or dental therapist who is a volunteer health
15provider; and dental hygiene services, performed by a dental hygienist who is a
16volunteer health provider.
AB668,11 17Section 11 . 146.89 (3m) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB668,5,2118 146.89 (3m) (intro.) A volunteer health care provider who is a dentist or dental
19therapist
may provide dental services or a volunteer health care provider who is a
20dental hygienist may provide dental hygiene services, to persons who are recipients
21of Medical Assistance, if all of the following apply:
AB668,12 22Section 12 . 146.997 (1) (d) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB668,5,2323 146.997 (1) (d) 3. A dentist or dental therapist licensed under ch. 447.
AB668,13 24Section 13. 155.01 (7) of the statutes, as affected by 2021 Wisconsin Act 251,
25is amended to read:
AB668,6,17
1155.01 (7) “Health care provider" means a nurse licensed or permitted under
2ch. 441, a chiropractor licensed under ch. 446, a dentist or dental therapist licensed
3under ch. 447, a physician, physician assistant, perfusionist, podiatrist, physical
4therapist, physical therapist assistant, occupational therapist, occupational therapy
5assistant, or genetic counselor licensed under ch. 448, a naturopathic doctor licensed
6under ch. 466, a person practicing Christian Science treatment, an optometrist
7licensed under ch. 449, a psychologist who is licensed under ch. 455, who is exercising
8the temporary authorization to practice, as defined in s. 455.50 (2) (o), in this state,
9or who is practicing under the authority to practice interjurisdictional
10telepsychology, as defined in s. 455.50 (2) (b), a physical therapist or physical
11therapist assistant who holds a compact privilege under subch. XI of ch. 448, an
12occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant who holds a compact
13privilege under subch. XII of ch. 448, a partnership thereof, a corporation or limited
14liability company thereof that provides health care services, a cooperative health
15care association organized under s. 185.981 that directly provides services through
16salaried employees in its own facility, or a home health agency, as defined in s. 50.49
17(1) (a).
AB668,14 18Section 14 . 252.14 (1) (ar) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB668,6,1919 252.14 (1) (ar) 3. A dentist or dental therapist licensed under ch. 447.
AB668,15 20Section 15. 257.01 (5) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB668,7,221 257.01 (5) (a) An individual who is licensed as a physician, a physician
22assistant, or a podiatrist under ch. 448, licensed as a naturopathic doctor under ch.
23466, licensed as a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or nurse-midwife under
24ch. 441, licensed as a dentist or dental therapist under ch. 447, licensed as a

1pharmacist under ch. 450, licensed as a veterinarian or certified as a veterinary
2technician under ch. 89, or certified as a respiratory care practitioner under ch. 448.
AB668,16 3Section 16. 257.01 (5) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB668,7,114 257.01 (5) (b) An individual who was at any time within the previous 10 years,
5but is not currently, licensed as a physician, a physician assistant, or a podiatrist
6under ch. 448, licensed as a naturopathic doctor under ch. 466, licensed as a
7registered nurse, licensed practical nurse or nurse-midwife, under ch. 441, licensed
8as a dentist or dental therapist under ch. 447, licensed as a pharmacist under ch. 450,
9licensed as a veterinarian or certified as a veterinary technician under ch. 89, or
10certified as a respiratory care practitioner under ch. 448, if the individual's license
11or certification was never revoked, limited, suspended, or denied renewal.
AB668,17 12Section 17 . 440.03 (13) (b) 20m. of the statutes is created to read:
AB668,7,1313 440.03 (13) (b) 20m. Dental therapist.
AB668,18 14Section 18 . 440.08 (2) (a) 25m. of the statutes is created to read:
AB668,7,1515 440.08 (2) (a) 25m. Dental therapist: October 1 of each odd-numbered year.
AB668,19 16Section 19. 440.094 (1) (c) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB668,7,1717 440.094 (1) (c) 3. A dentist or dental therapist licensed under ch. 447.
AB668,20 18Section 20 . 447.01 (6g) of the statutes is created to read:
AB668,7,2019 447.01 (6g) “Dental therapist” means an individual who practices dental
20therapy.
AB668,21 21Section 21 . 447.01 (6r) of the statutes is created to read:
AB668,7,2322 447.01 (6r) “Dental therapy” means the limited practice of dentistry, consisting
23of the services, treatments, and procedures specified in s. 447.06 (3) (b).
AB668,22 24Section 22 . 447.02 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB668,8,4
1447.02 (1) (a) Governing the reexamination of an applicant who fails an
2examination specified in s. 447.04 (1) (a) 5., (1m) (e), or (2) (a) 5. The rules may specify
3additional educational requirements for those applicants and may specify the
4number of times an applicant may be examined.
AB668,23 5Section 23 . 447.02 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB668,8,76 447.02 (1) (b) Governing the standards and conditions for the use of radiation
7and ionizing equipment in the practice of dentistry or dental therapy.
AB668,24 8Section 24 . 447.02 (1) (g) of the statutes is created to read:
AB668,8,119 447.02 (1) (g) Specifying services, treatments, or procedures, in addition to
10those specified under s. 447.06 (3) (b) 1. to 27., that are included within the practice
11of dental therapy.
AB668,25 12Section 25 . 447.02 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB668,8,1413 447.02 (2) (a) The conditions for supervision and the degree of supervision
14required under ss. 447.03 (3) (a), (am), (b) and (d) 2. and 447.065.
AB668,26 15Section 26 . 447.02 (3) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB668,8,1916 447.02 (3) (a) (intro.) The examining board may issue a permit authorizing the
17practice in this state, without compensation, of dentistry, dental therapy, or dental
18hygiene to an applicant who is licensed to practice dentistry, dental therapy, or dental
19hygiene in another state, if all of the following apply:
AB668,27 20Section 27 . 447.02 (3) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB668,8,2421 447.02 (3) (a) 2. The examining board determines that the applicant is qualified
22and satisfies the criteria specified under s. 447.04 (1) (b) 1. to 3., except that the
23examining board may not require the applicant to pass an examination of state
24statutes and rules relating to dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene.
AB668,28 25Section 28. 447.02 (3) (a) 3. of the statutes is created to read:
AB668,9,3
1447.02 (3) (a) 3. If the applicant is applying for a permit to practice dental
2therapy, the applicant graduated from a dental therapy education program approved
3under s. 447.04 (1m) (c) 1. to 3.
AB668,29 4Section 29 . 447.02 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB668,9,95 447.02 (3) (b) A permit under this subsection shall authorize the practice of
6dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene in a specified area of the state for a period
7of time not more than 10 days in a year and may be renewed by the examining board.
8The examining board may not require an applicant to pay a fee for the issuance or
9renewal of a permit under this subsection.
AB668,30 10Section 30 . 447.02 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB668,9,1511 447.02 (5) Except as provided in ss. 447.058 and 447.063, nothing in this
12chapter may be construed as authorizing the examining board to regulate business
13or administrative support functions or services, that do not constitute the practice
14of dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene, provided to a business that provides
15dental or dental hygiene services.
AB668,31 16Section 31. 447.02 (6) of the statutes is created to read:
AB668,9,2117 447.02 (6) The examining board shall send a notice to the legislative reference
18bureau for publication in the Wisconsin Administrative Register when the board
19determines that 50 or more individuals are currently licensed as dental therapists
20in this state under s. 447.04 (1m). This subsection does not apply on or after the first
21day of the 6th year beginning after publication of this act .... [LRB inserts date].
AB668,32 22Section 32 . 447.03 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:
AB668,9,2523 447.03 (1m) Dental therapists. Except as provided under sub. (3) and s.
24447.02 (3), no person may do any of the following unless he or she is licensed to
25practice dental therapy under this chapter:
AB668,10,1
1(a) Practice or offer to practice dental therapy.
AB668,10,42 (b) Represent himself or herself to the public as a dental therapist or use, in
3connection with his or her name, any title or description that may convey the
4impression that he or she is a dental therapist.
AB668,33 5Section 33 . 447.03 (3) (am) of the statutes is created to read:
AB668,10,106 447.03 (3) (am) A dental therapy student who practices dental therapy under
7the supervision of a dentist in an infirmary, clinic, hospital, or other institution
8connected or associated for training purposes with a dental therapy school accredited
9by the American Dental Association commission on dental accreditation or its
10successor agency.
AB668,34 11Section 34 . 447.03 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB668,10,1712 447.03 (3) (c) An individual licensed to practice dentistry, dental therapy, or
13dental hygiene in another state or country who practices dentistry , dental therapy,
14or dental hygiene in a program of dental education or research at the invitation of
15a group of dentists or practices dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene under the
16jurisdiction of the army, navy, air force, U.S. public health service , or veterans
17bureau.
AB668,35 18Section 35 . 447.04 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:
AB668,10,2019 447.04 (1m) Dental therapists. The examining board shall grant a license to
20practice dental therapy to an individual who does all of the following:
AB668,10,2221 (a) Submits an application for the license to the department on a form provided
22by the department.
AB668,10,2323 (b) Pays the fee specified in s. 440.05 (1).
AB668,10,2524 (c) Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or she has
25done one of the following:
AB668,11,1
11. Graduated from an accredited dental therapy education program.
AB668,11,32 2. Graduated from a dental therapy education program that was not accredited
3at the time of graduation, but that satisfies all of the following:
AB668,11,54 a. The program was approved by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry on or before
5the effective date of this subd. 2. a. .... [LRB inserts date].
AB668,11,76 b. The program was accredited as of the date the individual applies for a license
7under this subsection.
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